Dr Wee invites Guan Eng on ferry ride to prove vessels still in service

PETALING JAYA: MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has extended an invitation to DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng to join him on a ferry ride to prove to him that the boats have not completely been put out to pasture.

"When he has the time, I would like him to join me on a ferry ride to prove to Penangites that the services have not ended.

"After a ride in the old ferry, we'll return with the newer and faster boat service to show him how much time can be saved," he said in a Facebook post on Sunday (Jan 10).

Dr Wee had explained in a Facebook post on Friday (Jan 8) that the Federal Government had offered the Penang state government an opportunity to take over operations on a few old ferries.

A well-known Penang icon that connects George Town on Penang island and Butterworth on the mainland, the state's car-carrying ferry service ceased operations on Dec 31 and was replaced with fast passenger-only ferries on Jan 1.

However, the older ferries will be used to transport motorcycles and bicycles, while drivers would have to drive between the mainland and island until vehicle transporters are introduced in July 2022.

The old ferry service was discontinued in an effort to restructure and modernise the fleet to make it safer and to avoid unwanted incidents and inconveniences.

Separately, Dr Wee said he has yet to receive an answer from Lim regarding the delayed expansion work on the Penang International Airport.

In his Facebook post on Friday, Dr Wee said it was Lim who caused the delay when he announced that projects involving airports in the country would be done through Private Financing Initiative (PFI).

"He announced this himself when debating Budget 2019 as finance minister," he said.

He said his announcement affected works on the Penang airport, adding that Lim had instructed Malaysian Airport Holdings Bhd to negotiate with Ideal Property.

Dr Wee also revealed an image of the letter from Ideal to MAHB in his post on Friday.

"It doesn't matter if he wants to avoid the question," he said, taking a jab at Lim by saying that he could be the "most ideal man to be chief minister of Penang again."